Short abstract:

Examining three Indian tech initiatives as examples of social innovation that highlight public-interest issues, this paper shows how civil society actors are developing their own communication channels to fight democratic decline caused by political corruption and media capture.

Long abstract:

In the face of global democratic challenges posed by political corruption, media capture by politicians and big business, and rampant fake news on social media, civil society actors are developing innovative solutions to highlight public-interest issues not shown in the larger media ecosystem. These actors use tech-driven data-sharing practices, which function as socially responsible journalism, addressing gaps left by traditional and social media. This trend is especially significant in India, where recent democratic backsliding has seen both legacy and new media platforms promoting political narratives over genuine public voices. In this context, civil society organizations are fostering new, alternative journalistic practices to ensure that critical public-interest issues are brought to the forefront.

This paper examines three technological platforms as examples of social innovation addressing matters of public concern by functioning as alternative media in the broader media landscape. "I Paid a Bribe" crowdsources data on public office bribery, offering a form of data journalism on petty corruption. The "Association for Democratic Reforms" provides a repository of electoral data on candidates and political party funding through its website and app, aiding journalists as data allies in reporting on electoral integrity. "CGNet Swara" is a community radio service acting as social media for the poor in remote Indian areas, ensuring their voices are heard despite mainstream media neglect.